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★★★★☆ Splendor; if you want important people to like you, buy gems.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a medium complex game that you can play again and again (and again).

This game stands out because is it’s simple and complex at the same time. Some people call this kind of game an “engine building” game because when you obtain a card it helps you get more cards, which helps you get even more cards. It’s very satisfying to set up your “engine” and watch it work.

Positive:1. Pretty simple to teach and quick to start playing.2. Teaches economic concepts and planning.3. Game is relatively short for the amount of complexity.4. No player elimination or direct conflict.5. Game feels rewarding -like knocking down a row of dominoes.6. The components are oddly satisfying -also like dominoes.7. Games are typically close -I usually feel like I could win with “just one more turn.”

Negative:1. Little to no player interaction -but pretty easy to talk during this game.2. No real story or theme -very abstract.

Brief Overview:The goal of this game is to get 15 points. There are two ways to get points, buy the more expensive development cards or buy enough development cards that a noble will visit you. On your turn you can take a limited number of gems (poker chips). Once you have enough gems, you can buy a development card (cost is marked on the card). Once you have a development card, you get a discount on future purchases (if you have one red development card, you get a discount of one red gem for all future development cards).

Number of Players

2-4

Age

8+

Time

30 mins

Friendly

★★★★☆

Teachable

★★★★☆

Replayability

★★★★☆

Creative Freedom

★★★★☆

Inclusive (no elimination)

★★★★★

Interaction

★☆☆☆☆

Versions:There is only one version of this game and no expansions.

Teaching Advice:First explain that the goal is to get 15 points, and then show everyone where the points are written on the cards.

Next, show how to buy development cards (with gems and then with the discount from previously bought development cards). Lastly, show how obtaining a certain amount of certain development cards will give you points from the noble cards. -This order of explanation works best for me because you’re building up to the more complex concepts but focused the whole time on getting points.